Game-by-game preview of the Eagles' 2020 schedule - PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Record vs. Saints at Lincoln Financial Field: 2-2

Key additions: LB Zack Baun, DL Margus Hunt, S Malcolm Jenkins, C Cesar Ruiz, WR Emmanuel Sanders, TE Adam Trautman

Key losses: CB Eli Apple, S Vonn Bell, QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Ted Ginn, LB A.J. Klein, G Larry Warford

Key stat: 11

Since Sean Payton and Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2016, the Saints have ranked in the top 10 in the league in points scored 11 times out of 14 seasons. Even in those other three seasons, the lowest the Saints ranked was 12th and that was in 2007. In the last four seasons, the Saints ranked second, fourth, third, and third in points scored. The Saints have ranked in the top 10 in yards gained in every season of the Payton-Brees combo.

Player to watch: WR Michael Thomas

The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year led the NFL with a single-season record 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 107.8 yards per game. 

Think about that. He averaged over 100 yards per game. He had 10 100-yard performances, including a stretch of five straight in the middle of the season.

No reason his Twitter handle is @Cantguardmike.

The 6-3, 212-pound Thomas isn't a one-year fluke. He's had 1,000-plus yards in each of his first four NFL seasons, and 100-plus receptions in each of the past three years. He's caught an incredible 78.1 percent of the passes thrown his way in his career.

Sure, the Saints' offense is a plus, along with having a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees, but size, speed, hands, separation ability, and contested-catch toughness make him a security blanket for any quarterback.

Team preview: 13-3 in 2019, first in NFC South

It's difficult when a team plays a long season only for it to end in heartbreaking fashion then to have to regroup and make another run the following year. That's why it's rare for teams that lose in the Super Bowl to make a deep run the following season.

The Saints would like to have a word with you.

This is how the Saints' last three seasons have come to a close.

In 2017, the Saints lost in the Divisional Round thanks to the Minneapolis Miracle, Stefon Diggs' walk-off touchdowns.

In 2018, the Saints reached the NFC Championship Game only to lose in overtime after a controversial non-call on Rams (now Eagles) cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman wiped out a chance to potentially run out the clock before a game-winning field goal attempt. It was egregious enough for the league to change how pass interference penalties can be reviewed for one year.

In 2019, the Saints had a go-ahead defensive touchdown taken off the board in the final minutes, then lose in overtime when Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph pushed off cornerback P.J. Williams on the game-winning touchdown. The Saints never got the ball in overtime.

The Saints have been the NFC's best team over the past three years with a 37-11 regular-season record and three division titles, but not even a Super Bowl appearance to show for it.

Quarterback Drew Brees is back for another run as he put off retirement for a little bit longer. If anything happens to Brees, they have gadget weapon Taysom Hill and former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston.

The Saints fortified the protection for Brees by using their first-round pick on Camden native Cesar Ruiz, who will likely move to guard. Veteran speedster Emmanuel Sanders is another weapon to go along with fellow wide receiver Michael Thomas, running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, and tight end Jared Cook.

The defense remains strong and welcomes a reunion with former top draft pick Malcolm Jenkins, who left New Orleans for Philadelphia in 2014. Head Coach Sean Payton has said that allowing Jenkins to leave was the biggest personnel regret of his career. Jenkins has the cachet of winning another Super Bowl with another team. His leadership will be valuable for a team that has to overcome the postseason demons of the past three seasons.

The biggest difference is that the NFC South will not be a cakewalk. The Buccaneers are going to do everything to take advantage of new quarterback Tom Brady's final seasons and Carolina is retooling with a new coaching staff and a new quarterback – Teddy Bridgewater, who went undefeated for the Saints last season while Brees dealt with a hand injury.

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https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/game-by-game-preview-of-the-eagles-2020-schedule

2020-05-10 01:05:00Z
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